Labelling theory, Marxist, Functionalist, lack of opportunity, relative deprivation, masculinity, status frustration Flashcards
(28 cards)
What does Marxist say about classes in terms of crime?
That all classes commit crime, but higher classes are way more likely to get away with it
What do marxists say capitalism encourages?
It encourages us to want materialistic things
Does the encouragement of material desire make us more likely to commit crimes? Why?
Yes, because we may not be able to achieve owning the material we want, so go about getting it in criminal ways
What do marxists say a capitalist society puts pressure on?
Pressure to make more money, to be successful
What doesn’t Marixst’s theory explain?
Why working-class criminals do not target higher social classes to get away with their criminal activity
What about the working class does Marxism not explain?
Why some people do not turn to crime, despite their circumstances
What is the labelling theory in terms of crime?
How giving a person a label may cause them to live up to the stereotypes of that label and commit crimes or deviant acts
What kind of theory is the labelling theory?
An interactionist theory
Who gives a person a label?
An agent of social control
Who does the labelling theory take side with?
The powerless (The people with the label)
What is an example of police bias in terms of labelling?
Biases against black people, young people, and poor people.
Do you have to be deviant to receive a label?
No
What other factors give you a label?
Your appearance, your environment etc
What is self-fulfilling prophecy terms of labelling?
A person begins to believe their label and so acts up to its stereotypes
Who said labelling can result in a master status?
Becker
What is a master status?
The primary status that overrules any other. In this case a master status could be a criminal
What does the labelling theory fail to explain?
Primary deviance
What is primary deviance?
When a person commits a deviant act without knowing it is against the norms of the system
Does everyone accept their label?
No
What is the bad thing about the labelling theory?
It lets offenders off since they are seen as a victim of a label
What is the interactionist theory?
That association with other criminals is the most prominent factor in criminal behaviour
What is the broken windows theory?
That leaving (for example) broken windows unrepaired, sends out signals that no one cares about aggressive behaviour
Who came up with the broken windows theory?
Wilson and Kelling
What does lack of opportunity have to do with crime?
A person with little opportunity seeks for their goals through means of crime to achieve them
